Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Sunday that the Trump administration is considering suspending the federal gas tax as gasoline prices have risen amid ongoing conflict with Iran.

Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press," Wright told host Kristen Welker that the administration is open to pausing the federal gas tax, which amounts to approximately 18 cents per gallon for gasoline. The average national gas price has climbed above $4.50 per gallon, reaching its highest point during the current conflict.

Wright declined to make specific predictions about future fuel costs, stating he is "avoiding" forecasts on oil and gasoline prices. "I can't make any predictions about oil prices or gasoline prices," Wright said, adding that "the military part of the conflict took about what we expected."

The rising fuel costs are beginning to affect other sectors of the economy, with higher transportation expenses impacting grocery prices. Industry analysts note that companies, having already absorbed various price shocks in recent years, are less able to avoid passing additional costs on to retailers and consumers.

A suspension of the federal gas tax would provide modest relief to consumers, though the 18-cent reduction would represent a small portion of the total cost when gas prices exceed $4.50 per gallon. The federal gas tax is used to fund highway infrastructure projects through the Highway Trust Fund.